Endocrine Abstracts

The ligand-receptor kisspeptin/GPR54 system was originally identified in the context of tumor biology. Thus, KiSS-1 was cataloged as metastasis suppressor gene, which encodes a number of related peptides, termed kisspeptins, with ability to activate the previously ‘orphan’ receptor GPR54. Interestingly, the known biological actions of kisspeptins were apparently limited to their ability to inhibit tumor progression and, likely, to control trophoblast invasion. Howeve...

Hypothalamic amenorrhea, characterized by suppressed GnRH secretion, occurs when energy output is greater than energy intake. Leptin concentrations, which reflect adipose stores and energy availability, are low in hypothalamic amenorrhea. Our study and others provide evidence that leptin is the critical link between energy stores and normal reproductive function.Evidence that leptin is critical for reproduction comes from the onset of pubertal developmen...

The availability of genome sequences from humans and multiple model organisms has facilitated the identification of many human plasma membrane receptor families and allowed the analysis of their phylogeny. We traced the evolution of known families of human plasma membrane receptors for inclusion in the Human Plasma Membrane Receptome database at http://receptome.stanford.edu (Science STKE. 2003). Using an evolutionary approach, we identified new polypeptide hormones and recept...

Org 36286 is a sustained follicular stimulant (SFS) inducing multiple follicular development in patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. Due to its long half-life a single dose of Org 36286 may replace the first 7 injections of daily recFSH and after this one week interval, stimulation may be continued with daily recFSH up to the day of triggering ovulation (Org 36286 regimen). Ideally, recFSH should be started as soon as Org 36286 levels become too low to support m...